472 



LAND BIRDS 



necessary to resist the force of wind and wave. The 

 newly hatched young Red-wings are just the color of a 

 ripe apricot, and entirely naked. In a few days dark 

 lines of embryonic pinfeathers show along each side of 

 the spine and the edge of the 

 wings ; then a soft grayish down 

 covers throat, breast, and top of 

 head. By and by brown 

 feathers push out through 

 the quills, and the promise 

 of a tail appears. The eyes 

 open, the skin grows darker, chang- 

 ing to greenish gray on the fore- 

 head, which remains entirely bare 

 even after they are fully feathered. 

 When twelve days old the nest- 

 lings begin to stand up after the 

 manner of young birds, stretch legs 

 and wings, and tease for food with coaxing 

 chirps. And now the father, who has been 

 a proud spectator of their progress 

 as well as a constant attendant on 

 their wants, has to work harder 

 than ever. Water bugs of all 

 sorts, especially the tiny black beetles that squirm by 

 hundreds on the surface, dragonflies and butterflies, hair- 

 less caterpillars and fat slugs are popped into the ever- 

 open mouths of those hungry nestlings. The feeding 

 by regurgitation ceases when the young are four days 

 old. 



498 e, San Diego Red- 

 winged Blackbird. 



"^ spirit of reckless daring.'''' 



